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Brick Hotel on The Circle closes after 12 years

Lesters retire and lease building to State of Delaware
The Brick Hotel on The Circle in Georgetown closed its doors for the last time Aug. 29. The existing structure was built in 1836. The State of Delaware will be leasing the building effective Oct. 1. DAN COOK PHOTOS
August 30, 2021

Ed and Lynn Lester and their family celebrated the end of their era in the hospitality industry Aug. 28, joined by many friends who have been loyal advocates of The Brick Hotel in Georgetown.

Among the guests at The Brick’s Last Hurrah Party were inn guests and restaurant patrons who have been longtime supporters of the Lesters’ efforts to offer quality dining and lodging in the Sussex County seat, Georgetown. Previous and current Brick staff were also on hand for the celebration.

“There are people here tonight who have been with us since we opened our doors in 2008; there are inn guests who have called The Brick ‘home’ during their regular visits to town over the past decade; there are people whose faces we could always count on seeing in the restaurant on a regular basis. These are the people who have truly blessed us with the opportunity to do what we’ve been doing for the past 12 years, and tonight’s party is our way of thanking them for their unwavering loyalty and support,” said Lynn Lester.

The Brick shut its doors for good Aug. 29, and the building will now be preparing for its new tenant, the State of Delaware, which will be leasing the building effective Oct. 1.

“It’s a bittersweet celebration for sure,” said Lester, “but the timing is right, and Ed and I are totally ready to enjoy full retirement and more quality time with our family and friends.”

The contents of the Brick Hotel and The Counting House will be sold via online auction managed by Reagan-Watson Auctions; there will be an opportunity for onsite preview of items to be sold. For further information, go to the Reagan-Watson website, reagan-watsonauctions.com.

The Brick Hotel on The Circle owners Ed and Lynn Lester stand next to the historical marker on the front of the building. The Lesters have operated the business since 2008.
Ed and Lynn Lester pose with their family on the steps of the Brick Hotel. Shown are in back (l-r) Lee Darmstadter, Brooke Darmstadter, Joe Croce, Steele Croce, Jaime Croce and Zeke Croce; in middle Jake Darmstadter, Ed Lester, Lynn Lester, and Blair Darmstadter. In front are Lucy Darmstadter and Charlie Croce.
Ed and Lynn Lester stand with their daughters, Jaime Croce, left, and Brooke Darmstadter.
Lynn Lester, right, smiles for the camera with friend Stuart Thawley, who drove up from Crofton, Md., for the event. Over the years, Thawley has used The Brick as his resting place during his regular visits to the area to visit family and friends, and simply to explore.
Vicki Smith from Oak Island, S.C., poses with owner Lynn Lester. Before relocating to South Carolina, Smith lived in Seaford and stopped at The Brick almost weekly with her mom, Dee, now deceased. She took the long trip to share in The Brick's Last Hurrah Party saying, "I wouldn't have missed this for the world."
Ed Lester, center, shares a fun moment with friends Joann, left, and Joe Conaway, retired Sussex County administrator.
Inn Manager Garth Huffman, left, and Gregg Mongone took care of the bartending for the event.
Keith and Patsy Gnagey frequented the Brick Hotel on The Circle. The Gnageys are Georgetown residents who could be found most Friday nights with their friends Dee and Rich Comly either in the front-porch rockers, or in the restaurant & tavern enjoying The Brick's happy hours and dinners.
For six years, from 2012 to 2018, The Brick restaurant patrons enjoyed delightful background music provided by keyboardist Fonsie Scott. "It was awesome to have Fonsie filling the dining room one last time with music," said Lester.
Howard Sheldon, left, of Lewes and Karl Haller of Georgetown share a happy greeting. Karl and his wife Mary were the first guests to check into The Brick when it opened for Return Day 2008, and in addition to being faithful restaurant patrons, they have stayed at The Brick every Return Day since then. They first met Howard and his wife Barbara in 2012, when the Sheldons first stayed for Return Day, and each Return Day thereafter. "Our regular Return Day guests evolved into their own little family – it was so wonderful to make it possible for them to gather one last time," said Lynn Lester.
The Brick Hotel on The Circle won many prestigious awards throughout its years of operation.
A popular feature in The Brick was this dollhouse replica of the hotel, made and donated to The Brick by local resident Joann Conaway. The dollhouse will find a new home at the Nutter Marvel Museum.
Former Georgetown Mayor Bob Ricker, Ed Lester and Jamie Locklear (l-r) share happy times at the Brick.
Sharing good times at the bar are (l-r) Inn Manager Garth Huffman, Lisa Buchala and Karl Haller. For several years, Lisa tended bar at The Brick Restaurant, and she returned to support the Lesters at the closing party. She was enthusiastically greeted by many former customers, including Karl Haller. In years past, after settling in on the front porch with his dog, Karl would call to let Lisa know he was outside and ready for his Manhattan.
This 1935 picture of The Brick Hotel restaurant staff has been on display in the lobby for years. Members of the Wimble family had a long history of working at The Brick Hotel in the 1930s, and some modern family members stayed at The Brick in early August to get a firsthand experience of how the building has transitioned over the years. This photo will be given to them.
This iron tree in The Brick’s lobby is decorated with ornaments gifted to the owners by the inn guests.
Sharing happy times at the event are (l-r) Teresa Ricker, Lynn Lester, Bob Ricker and Michelle Locklear.

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